Black Mirror's Eulogy episode revels in the dangers of memory and main character energy
The 47-minute episode is one of the series' simplest in seven seasons, proving that sometimes less really is more. It follows the story of an isolated man who learns his ex-girlfriend has died. When her family requests that he share his memories via a new tech service called Eulogy, he's forced to reckon with decades-old heartbreak and the realization that his bitterness and anger have strangled his memories.
Paul Giamatti stars as Phillip, the misanthrope in question, and delivers a gut-punching performance full of subtle nuances and emotion. When the AI service tries to dislodge his memories of his ex, Carol, he can't bring her to mind. A guide convinces him to pull out a series of photographs of his time with Carol to help, and launches him into the actual photos to have a look around. The only problem? Phillip has scratched out Carol's face in every instance, and can no longer remember what she looked like.
It's a nostalgic reminder that back before smartphones and digital technology, photos didn't capture every instance of a person's life. Once the snaps that did exist were ruined, there was no getting them back. In 'Eulogy,' that story device allows viewers to revisit the past through Phillip's eyes as he recalls the strong love he once held for this woman and the anger that consumed him after they broke up.
There's a slight mystery as to what happened as the story unfolds, and new insights as to memory versus circumstance as the Guide (Patsy Ferran) points out inconsistencies in the memories Phillip recalls. It becomes clear Phillip has painted a victim narrative in his head after his loss; however, a picture, as they say, is worth a thousand words. As he progresses through his memories, Phillip makes some hard realizations.
It's a beautifully delivered story about how things can go so wrong when we fail to be objective. As Phillip turns to the bottle to quell his anger and pain, his actions have devastating consequences that he's failed to see for years. Rather than deal with his grief and resolve his issues, he's turned to a sad life of solitude. In the hands of Giamatti, the character gets under your skin and lingers, and Ferran is every bit his equal.
Together they deliver a powerful message about how anguish comes in many shapes and forms, whether grieving a death or the death of a relationship. It's also a reminder that when we self-soothe with substances, or these days via things such as doomscrolling, we can miss the very real life that's going on around us.
For Black Mirror, a series that typically dwells on the devastating effects of technology, it's a surprisingly uplifting and relatable episode that highlights some of the good that can come from these societal advancements. Not everyone wants the option to linger in the past, but addressing it for what it was rather than repressing it or holding onto bad memories can ultimately be healing.
It's a standout episode in the Twilight Zone-inspired series and one of the best reasons to tune into the latest season. 'Eulogy' might not have the Hollywood noir appeal of Season 7's 'Hotel Reverie,' the relevance of privatized health care that 'Common People' does, or the flash of the 'USS Callister' sequel episode, 'USS Callister: Into Infinity.' But what it is is a deeply moving story about the lasting effects of love even after our strongest memories fade away.
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